Read & Watch: Federer’s Two Match Point Saves Against Monfils In Madrid

Roger Federer was on the verge of defeat on Thursday against Gael Monfils at the Mutua Madrid Open. But the Swiss saved two match points to stay alive, before ultimately prevailing in a final-set tie-break.

The 37-year-old showed little apprehension on either match point. He snuffed out Monfils’ first opportunity by serving and volleying behind his second serve. Federer later dismissed the Frenchman’s second chance by punishing a short forehand into the backhand corner to elicit an error.

“I just felt not so confident to win the point from the baseline, so I said panic mode is switched on and we are coming in,” said a smiling Federer about the first match point he saved. “Regardless of how and what and when, there were no more tactics except to serve it to the forehand to mix it up and you go to the net as quick as possible so you are as close as possible and I framed the first volley, which ended up being perfect.”

Federer will next face this year’s Indian Wells and Barcelona champion Dominic Thiem. The Austrian leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head series 3-2, including a three-set victory in the BNP Paribas Open final.

Did You Know?
Federer is 87-0 in matches when he wins a set 6-0. This is the first time any of those matches has gone to a final-set tie-break.